Minister’s praise as 20 million receive vaccine
More than 20 million people across the UK have now received their first dose of coronavirus vaccine, the Government confirmed yesterday.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock celebrated the news on Twitter, sharing a video and message to mark the milestone.
Mr Hancock, who gave an update on the nation’s vaccine roll-out programme at a Downing Street briefing on Friday, spoke of his delight on social media, adding: “A magnificent achievement for the country.”
He continued: “The vaccine is our route out. When you get the call, get the jab.”
The Health Secretary previously praised the North East for “working wonders” with the vaccine roll-out in the region at Friday’s briefing, thanking both volunteers and NHS staff for playing their part in giving out the life-saving jabs across the region.
He told Friday’s press conference: “The North East has done a brilliant job on vaccinating. It came out of the blocks really fast and has worked absolute wonders.”
Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi also recognised the national vaccination programme’s milestone on social media on Sunday.
He tweeted: “Bingo! One score over 20,000,000 people have had the vaccination (first dose).
"What an achievement for February 2021. What a team! Proud to be with you on this journey.”
The first injections of the UK’s Covid-19 vaccine roll-out were given on December 8.
At the start of this year as Lockdown 3 was imposed, the Government set a target for all of those in priority groups one to four to have received their first dose of Covid vaccine by February 15.